Sinodinos calls critical AUKUS role test for Australia
AUKUS will play a critical role in upholding the rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific but will be a ‘test’ for the nation, according to Australia’s ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos.
AUKUS will play a critical role in upholding the rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific and strengthen Australia’s capability to “project power” in the region to maintain stability, but it will be a “test” for the nation, Australia’s ambassador to the US says.
Arthur Sinodinos emphasised AUKUS is about more than submarines and will involve co-operation, interoperability and information sharing in many areas. He said the decision on which model submarine to procure will reflect the “trilateral” focus of AUKUS.
“What’s foremost about AUKUS is developing those habits of co-operation between those countries,” Mr Sinodinos, 65, said.
“It’s a capability pact but it’s more than that. It’s about how industrial bases work together. It’s about how interoperable (and) interchangeable our armed forces can be with each other. The extent to which we share information, the extent to which we share science and technology.
“Failure is not an option. What we have said to the Americans and to the British is that, for us, this is a moon shot, right? In other words, it’s a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation, effort to bring together all the resources we need to get this done.
“We’ve got the Americans to sign-off on giving us access to the crown jewels of their nuclear technology. And they’re prepared to trust us based on verification – trust but verify – on our capacity for nuclear stewardship. So, it’s a very big effort we’ve embarked on. It will test us as a nation.”
The ambassador pushed back against critics, such as former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, that the decision to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines from the US or UK would risk Australian sovereignty.
“If we become more capable at doing things in Australia, even if it involves overseas technology, that is an increase in our sovereign capability in itself, and it means we are a more capable member of the alliance,” Mr Sinodinos said.
“The reality is the Americans are giving up part of their sovereignty, their nuclear technology, they’re sharing it with us, and we are using that to build a capability in Australia which will be an addition to our capacity to project power in the region on behalf of our alliances and partnerships.”
Mr Sinodinos was critical of former president Donald Trump for abrogating the US global leadership role and weakening alliances. He praised Joe Biden for strengthening alliances and uniting the West to helping Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion.
“One of the things that was a massive difference when the Biden administration came in is the way they immediately focused on shoring up alliances and partnerships,” Mr Sinodinos said. “And the way he has led the West in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine shows the benefits of having a leader in charge who had that capacity.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential election, the ambassador predicted Mr Biden would run again and if he faced Mr Trump would be re-elected for a second term. Mr Sinodinos also said that the President showed no sign of cognitive decline.
“He stays on top of his game. Often, he’s the last to leave functions because he likes talking to people. I’ve been quite impressed with him,” he said.
Mr Sinodinos will complete his more than three years as ambassador in mid-March, and will be succeeded by former prime minister Kevin Rudd. The outgoing ambassador said he left the job more optimistic about the US and said relations with Australia have never been better.
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